The northwest coast cultures were rich and diverse. We have representations of the Kwakiutl, Coast Salish, Nu Chah Nulth, Tsimshian and Haida people. The diversity between northwest coast natives reflects itself in their woodcarving and mask making. Today, the art has adapted itself to glass, printmaking and bronzes. These new art forms are destined to become tomorrow's tradition.

Beyond his reputation as an artist, Art Thompson has also been an important educator, lecturer, and ambassador for Northwest Coast art and culture. He has traveled extensively as a guest of governments, museums and corporations to give lectures and to demonstrate Northwest Coast carving and design. He has overseen numerous collaborative projects involving the input of many artists and organizational groups. He has dedicated his time and resources in raising funds for important causes such as the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, the Multi-Cultural Centre for Camosun College, the Victoria Art Gallery and native education in British Columbia.

One who has practiced this craft for many years is Toni Meier. Together with his son he produces countless wooden masks every year in his atelier in Kriens. Each mask is unique. Because no specific features are required for the character masks, Toni Meier carves each character into the wood (lime tree) as he feels, freely and without a template. The masks are then treated for hygienic reasons and to protect the wood and normally weigh 200 â€“ 250 grams.

All of this artist's works are custom designed, well researched, and are created employing the highest quality materials and workmanship. Dale Faulstich's art work is grounded in a deeply rooted understanding of the stylistic tradition of the art of the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast. His work is admired by both native and non-native peoples

NOVICA ARTIST
"We acquire a type of hardwood known as 'sese' in the Eastern Region for carving the masks. Other materials we use are potassium, emulsion red or black paint, metal plate and sometimes clay. Glue is used extensively. There are about twenty people working in the shop"...

"On the pages that follow, I have selected a wide and varied collection of my work to include with descriptions. It has a been a great pleasure to create these and I wish to share them with you. I invite you to take this tour with me. Just click on the category that interests you."

"In what has developed into a personal journey of rediscovery of his own cultural heritage, the 32 year old Schweig has accelerated and carried his art to new heights. Corroborating with renowned West Coast painter and master carver Art Thompson of the Coast Salish and Nuu-chah-nulth nations, Schweig has created his own, "intensely personal" series of Adoption Masks. Born from the tragic victimization he experienced at the hands of abusive adoptive parents, the Adoption Masks - titled Inuit Man Screaming - are powerful, expressively carved images of the human spirit; beautifully married elements of aesthetic beauty and vivid expressions of pain. Influenced by the artistic style of Indonesia and inspired by a child?s suffering, the masks are dedicated to all who have been uprooted from their culture and tragically victimized"
(from the website - go downpage to view maskgallery )

Felipe Horta, is a celebrated maskmaker, one of four in his village Tocuaro, Michoac?n, M?xico.
Felipe began carving at the age of 12 by watching his father, Eustacio Horta, carve. His father learned from a man in the village who is now 95 years old.
Felipe's masks are used for decorative purposes as well as in local, traditional dances. He primarily uses Copilillo (indigenous to Michoacan) and Avocado wood in his carvings

Gene specializes in commissions to duplicate old pieces. He carves in all styles of the northwest coast but prefers Kwaguilth and Bella Coola. Amongst his peers he is considered one of the best. His work is collected world wide.

Welcome to my Website! I Hand-Carve original masks and offer them here for sale. Feel free to browse my gallery, enjoy my art and contact me if you wish to purchase any piece. I'm a retired Woodworker, carving from my studio in beautiful Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.
My mask carvings are all original, one-of-a-kind designs, which were inspired by artworks from Asia, Africa and North American Aboriginal Art.
All carvings are done with hand tools ... no electrical or mechanical engravers, rotary tools or the like are used.
The current offerings are all carved from Western Yellow Cedar, an aromatic wood indigenous to the Northwest Coastal regions of North America.

The Legacy Ltd. is acknowledged by many museums and collectors as the nation?s foremost source of traditional Northwest Coast Indian and Alaskan Native Art, both historic and contemporary. Since 1933, we?ve assisted beginning and advanced collectors, museum curators, connoisseurs of the authentic and beautiful, and visitors interested in something more than a souvenir. We?re a known and well respected resource not just in the United States and Canada, but also in Europe and Japan.

Ahousaht Band, Nuu-Chan-Nulth Tribal Nation
Native artist from the west coast of Vancouver island
Traditional wood masks carved by Hugh Sam
Nuu-Chah-Nulth Spirits Mask (Eagles of the moon)
Hugh Sam was born in Tofino, B.C. an is a member of the Ahousaht band of the Nuu-chan-nulth tribe located on the west side of Vancouver Island. Hugh's father Stanley, is a true historian and storyteller and is the speaker for the chiefs of the Wolf Clan, a privilege that was passed down from his grandfather. Hugh's mother Katie Sam, does knitting, beadwork and makes drums.

I am a master carver and I teach the traditional functional art of my people. I teach my people, as well as others, how to make masks, bentwood hats, traditonal clothing, skin sewing, and weapon making. I also like to teach about the cultural significance of each piece, design elements, color schemes, and how to put design elements together so they kind of have a flowing meaning or tell a story.

We are showing traditional Japanese Noh Masks (Noumen), Devil (Oni) Masks, Kyogen Masks, Shishigashira for (Lion dance). We have over 120 historical character masks available for purchase, also we can create and supply any kind of masks you like."

Horta works in collaboration with his wife and five children. His sons are carvers in their own right, and also help in the production of their father's work. Horta has exhibited his art throughout Mexico and the United States including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, and Brown University. He is a first prize winner of Mexico?s National Mask Maker competition, and is included in the permanent collections of El Museo de la Mascara in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. His masks are featured world-wide in the performances of the ?Ballet Folklorico de Mexico?.

NOVICA ARTIST
"In the year 1984, I was introduced to the carving profession by my cousin who was a carver in Aburi and also a professional teacher. He taught me how to carve for about a year and I had not much difficulty. I then started a full-time professional carving career late in 1985 with a shop of my own in Aburi . I have been carving on my own since.
"I also learned how to decorate my works with brass and beads, making them unique. I also paint them sometimes and I am inspired most at times by my works, they are unique and attractive."

A photo essay of the work done in the shop of Don Marianao of Suchiapa, Chiapas, Mexico. Don Mariano makes masks for several fiestas in Suchiapa and nearby villages. Workshops can be arranged, contact jack@mexiculture.com